Healthy Foods with More Sugar than Soda

Maria is a contributor at VIVA GLAM who is passionate about health, fitness, and beauty. During her free time, she tries to discover the beauty hidden in the chaos of today's fast-paced way of life. With a background in health and medicine, she hopes to inspire you to start living a fun, active, and healthy lifestyle through her writing.

Soda has a bad rep in today’s society due to various reasons. One, in particular, is its high sugar content, which can lead to diabetes and other health problems. But, did you know that there are a lot of foods that have more sugar content than a glass of this beverage? Some of these products are even deemed nutritious and good for your body. To give you some examples, here is a list of healthy foods with more sugar than soda.

1. PACKAGED FRUIT JUICES

Fruits can offer numerous benefits to your health. In fact, experts recommend eating at least two servings of fruits per day. However, not all products containing a fruit are good for your health. Some fruit juices, for example, have a high sugar content, which is higher than some soda varieties. Thus, you have to check a product’s label and avoid brands with added sugar in their ingredients. Instead, you can try eating a fresh fruit. Remember, fruit juices don’t have fiber, which is good for your gut’s health.

2. FLAVORED YOGURTS

Yogurt can be a necessary source of good bacteria. However, the plain variety has an unfavorable flavor. Because of this, most people prefer the sweetened and flavored varieties. A downside to this is the high sugar content in these products. In fact, low-fat and flavored yogurts are among the most popular healthy foods with more sugar than soda. This is especially true for some low-fat yogurt products. Keep in mind that manufacturers add sugar and other food additives so that a fat-free yogurt will have the same texture as a plain yogurt. The good news is that there are other sources of probiotics you can try, like tempeh and cultured vegetables.

3. PRE-MADE PASTA SAUCE

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that promotes a healthy heart and eyes. However, store-bought tomato sauce typically contains added sugar to improve the flavor and help prolong the product’s shelf-life. Unfortunately, some pre-made pasta sauces contain more sugar than a can of soda. Thus, you have to opt for products where sugar is at the bottom of the list. You can also make your own spaghetti sauce if you have more time.

4. INSTANT OATMEAL AND CEREALS

Oatmeal and whole-grain cereals are rich in complex carbohydrates that can provide long-lasting energy. Thus, a lot of people eat these products to fuel their bodies in the morning. Unfortunately, some instant oatmeal and breakfast cereals are among the healthy foods with more sugar than soda. This is especially true for cereals marketed for kids. For this reason, experts recommend choosing steel-cut oats instead of the instant or flavored varieties. Some healthy ways to flavor your oatmeal is to add a dash of cinnamon, edible seeds, or slices of fresh fruits.

5. GRANOLA AND ENERGY BARS

Some excellent foods that can fuel your body, especially after a strenuous workout, are granola and energy bars. In fact, these products are among the most popular post-workout foods you can eat. One reason is due to the oats and other whole grains in these foods, which can provide a ton of health perks. However, some brands have ingredients, like corn syrup and white flour, that can increase the sugar contents of the product up to 11 grams per bar. Thus, baking your own granola and energy bars is the best way to avoid consuming high amounts of sugar. Another option is to eat a bowl of rolled oats to fuel your body in the morning or after exercising.

6. FLAVORED COFFEES

The last and among the most popular healthy foods with more sugar than soda are flavored coffees. But, that’s not all. Flavored coffees are also high in calories due to the added ingredients, such as caramel sauce and whipped cream. Instead, you can try drinking a freshly brewed cup of joe to reap its health benefits. Furthermore, there are several ways to make your cup of coffee flavorful and more nutritious. One example is by adding a dash of cinnamon to your brewed coffee.